robjohn



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOS. ROBJOHN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

INKST'AND.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 18,060, dated August 25, 1857; Reissued May 24, 1859, No. '729.

To all 'whom t may concern Be it known that I, THOMAS RoBJoHN, of New York, county of New York, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Inkstands; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being made tothe annexed drawing, making a part of this specication, in which- Figure I is a transverse vertical section of my inkstand Fig. II is an illustration of a modication thereof.

Similar letters indicate similar parts throughout.

My improvements in ink stands have reference to that class wherein the ink is forced up through a tube into a cup placed outside of the ink reservoir and above it, by means of the compression of the air within the vessel itself.- The mode of accomplishing this is, in the old way most commonly by turning the milled head of a screw, the end of which acts upon a flexible and elastic diaphragm placed over an opening in the inkstand; several objections to this kind of inkstand are found; a serious one is the unprotected cup, which collects dust, and is consequently liable to have its supply-tube stopped. Another is the constant risk of overflowing the ink by screwing too rapidly or too far, and also of bursting the diaphragm and lettingout the ink or other fluid.-

The nature of my invention consists in an arrangement of mechanism in connection with a cover for the ink-cup whereby the operation of supplying ink to the cup, or emptying it out, shall be performed by raising or closing said cover. By this arrangement no more than the proper supply of ink can be raised on opening the cover, while the closing of the same after use will effect the emptying and securing of the cup against dust Vand consequent risk of obstruction to the tube.

Fig. I, is a section view of an inkstand having at (a) a diaphragm of flexible material, generally gum elastic secured by cementing a metallic cap over it as shown. At (b) is the ink-cup, with its supply tube terminating near the bottom of the ink reservoir, and is of the construction usual in this kind of inkstand. Between this cup and the stud which works the diaphragm there is a post (c) to which the device for working the diaphragm is attached-This consists in my improvement of two levers (d), and (e), both hinged or pivoted in said post. These levers are crooked so as to act upon each other, the lever (d) being of the first class and (e) of the second, that is to say (d), has its fulcrum between its ends, and (e) has it at one end, while the power from (d), is applied from one end to (e) between its ends. To (d) is attached a cover made to fit the cup (b) as shown, while the opposite end of (e) rests upon the top of a stud (i) which presses upon the diaphragm (a) as shown. That end of the lever (d) which acts upon (e), is cam shaped, and the projection on (c) against which it presses is also curved, the object of which is to arrest motion in (e) at a certain point, although (d) may still continue to move.

In order to operate the inkstand, lift the cover (d) offl the cup, when it will stand in the position shown in the duplicate line; take out the cup (b) and then pour in through the aperture thus opened, suiiicient ink to reach above the bottom of the tube (one half to two thirds full is best), replace (b) and shut down the cover; some additional bubbles of air will then pass in, now raise the cover once more and the ink will rise to the proper height in (b), for as the cover is lifted, the lever (al) acts upon lever (e), and presses down the pin (i) and diaphragm the distance to compress the air within suiiciently to force up the proper supply of ink.

If the continued use of ink is sufficiently great at any one time to exhaust the cup, the renewal is effected by closing the lid, when a few air bubbles will again enter, and if now the lid be raised the ink rises as before.

I have described this improvement as for inkstands but it is also adapted to other fluids, such as lubricating oils, especially for watchmakers, and for perfumes, &c. A

form I deem more suitable for these latter The post (c), covers the pin, and sets over v it as shown. In this form also this part canthe opening and closing thereof shall eect not be tampered With and hence is more sethe raising or discharge of the ink or other cure against accidents. Huid into or from said cup as described.

I claim* THOS. ROBJOHN. 5 The arrangement for flexing the elastic Witnesses:

diaphragm by so attaching a mechanism in J. P. PINSsoN, connection with a cover for the ink cup that S. H. MAYNARD.

[FIRST PRINTED 1912.] 

